Scan barcode
A review by kingofthehillxl
Brancusi v. United States, Volume 0 by Arnaud Nebbache
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
At first I was unsure where to place Brancusi v. United States by Arnaud Nebbache. We don't often get biographical graphic novels that are as stylistic as this. Honestly, I was a little jarred by the extreme contrast in the color blocking and the lack of more graphical lines most readers have come accustomed to as of the rise of the comics, manga, and other more print focused styles. The further I read the more I saw the purpose in Nebbache's stylistic choices. The art styles invokes the industrialist illustrations of the era, and help to highlight Brancusi's specific style of sculpture. Which is why it is so jarring to see the older style sculptures drawn in this style. It only helps to highlight the artistic beauty of the sculpture in question "Bird in Flight". Having grown up in an era where Brancusi is seen as a father of Modernism, it is kind of hard to wrap one's head around the idea that at one point his sculpture's were not widely regarded as art.
There are two aspects to the book. One aspect is an exploration of the place art was in at the turn of the modern era. I think this aspect comes off as more abstract, and it isn't my personal favorite form of graphical novels. I prefer my graphic novels to focus on character, art and dynamism rather than the stories themselves being abstract. The other aspect to this book is the trial. I really enjoyed the way the trial was shown. I think it was a wonderful idea to frame the trail in letters from Brancusi's friend while he was working. I think it helped keep it to the noteworthy moments with giving the need to get into needless scenes that could plague other trial renditions. One way the trial aspect flourishes and the exploration of art falters is that it fully fleshes out the goals of the characters. One side is trying to put a wedge between art and Brancusi's work while the other is highlighting the artistic aspects of his work. This helps the book because it drives the purpose of Brancusi's work home; whereas, the general exploration of where Brancusi fits into the history of art feels a little stunted due to the fact that I don't actually think it arrives at a conclusion. It seems to point to Brancusi's work as being abstract which by modern view it really isn't. Brancusi's work is Modern. It does imitate life just not in the way that the world was accustomed to at the time.
Brancusi v. United States is a beautifully artistic biography about a less talked about point in art history. It may not be revolutionary but you'll come away with the feeling that Brancusi definitely was.
I was provided with a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There are two aspects to the book. One aspect is an exploration of the place art was in at the turn of the modern era. I think this aspect comes off as more abstract, and it isn't my personal favorite form of graphical novels. I prefer my graphic novels to focus on character, art and dynamism rather than the stories themselves being abstract. The other aspect to this book is the trial. I really enjoyed the way the trial was shown. I think it was a wonderful idea to frame the trail in letters from Brancusi's friend while he was working. I think it helped keep it to the noteworthy moments with giving the need to get into needless scenes that could plague other trial renditions. One way the trial aspect flourishes and the exploration of art falters is that it fully fleshes out the goals of the characters. One side is trying to put a wedge between art and Brancusi's work while the other is highlighting the artistic aspects of his work. This helps the book because it drives the purpose of Brancusi's work home; whereas, the general exploration of where Brancusi fits into the history of art feels a little stunted due to the fact that I don't actually think it arrives at a conclusion. It seems to point to Brancusi's work as being abstract which by modern view it really isn't. Brancusi's work is Modern. It does imitate life just not in the way that the world was accustomed to at the time.
Brancusi v. United States is a beautifully artistic biography about a less talked about point in art history. It may not be revolutionary but you'll come away with the feeling that Brancusi definitely was.
I was provided with a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.